The following sites and information offer a wide variety of training options to enhance career development for people with disabilities. We feel these are some of the most frequently used in this area, but it is not inclusive of all possibilities, you may know of some others and we would like your feedback. Various qualifications may exist for each of these, so you will want to get a thorough description of services they provide to see if it matches your own circumstances. Also, it is good to remember that almost all state institutions will have special counseling and assistance for people with disabilities, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Abilities
Unlimited of Jonesboro, Inc. Our programs of services
are found on our home page. There are several categories of training
provided for a variety of targeted groups with a variety of disabilities.
For your convenience each service or training will have the staff member
that you can e-mail or contact for further information and assistance in
obtaining more information and allowing you to make an informed choice.
Career Development Training Classes/Instruction. Abilities Unlimited of Jonesboro, Inc.’s career development counselors offer classes and seminars on how to seek out specialized training that will enhance your training options. This could include assessment to determine strengths, interests, aptitudes, pre-vocational, and vocational skills that would indicate the best training options to pursue and the most efficient and economical way to secure it. It will deal with any pre-training requisites and environmental adjustments or accommodations in order to undertake a success training course. The classes can last from one day up to four weeks and depend upon the individual’s needs and the type of training to be undertaken. Part of the training can be completed on-line. Fees would depend upon the applicant’s qualifications for sponsorship by another agency, scholarships, etc.
Ability
Forum. This Web site and online job center are specifically
designed for persons with disabilities. Ability Forum is under contract
by the U.S. Department o f Education to establish a premier Web site
for people with disabilities that provides educational, social and community
opportunities in an accessible manner. Users and post and search
job openings and resumes in the Job Center and has a resource locator that
will locate services and agencies by state. For services click on
Resource Center and follow the directions to get to the state in which
you are interested. (This site is very new and still building much
of its capacities)
Arkansas
Rehabilitation Services (ARS). This is a state agency
under the Department of Workforce Education dedicated to providing a wide
range of vocational services with the main objective-putting people with
disabilities to work. Their web site has several options but to get
specific training options you can click on Services on their Home Page.
Services
for the Blind (DSB). The Division of Services for the
Blind is a state agency under the Department of Human Services with an
overall objective to assist legally blind people in Arkansas toward the
opportunity to live full and productive lives with dignity and self respect.
Programs are available for all ages and their families to assist them in
gaining the skills and self-confidence necessary to meet the challenges
of daily living. Services are designed to assist the individual to
achieve vocational goals, as well as to live as independently as possible.
Their web site has a very good way of listing their services, and you can
access by clicking on any area under About Services on their Home Page
under the section entitled Division of Services for the Blind.
Services
for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. (See Arkansas
Rehabilitation Services, click on Services on their Home page)
Spinal
Cord Commission. The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission
is a stare agency devoted to meeting the needs of people with spinal cord
disabilities in the state. The spinal cord may be damaged by trauma,
infection, tumor, developmental defect, or degenerative disorders such
as multiple sclerosis. The damage may be complete or incomplete and
have to demonstrate three of the following four medical conditions: loss
of motor control; loss of sensation; loss of normal bladder control; or
loss of normal bowel control. Their Home Page provides any number
of sources of information.
Developmental
Disabilities Services (DDS).
This agency offers a wide range of services and supports to Arkansans with
developmental disabilities and their families. Its mission statement
commits to the principles and practices of normalization, least restrictive
alternatives, affirmation of individuals’ constitutional rights, provision
of quality services, the interdisciplinary service delivery model, and
the positive management of challenging behaviors. Their Home Page
will provide you with information on eligibility requirements for accessing
services and supports provided or sponsored by DDS.
Arkansas
Career Development Network. This organization (formerly
known as One-Stop) is the state network that provides employment, education
and training programs in a coordinated delivery system assisting citizens
of Arkansas seeking new or better jobs and for employers seeking to build
a competitive workforce. There are several centers scattered across
the State that provides these services and each one should have assistance
for any person with a disability needing services. Go to their Home
Page and click on Northeast Arkansas to get your nearest center to you
in this part of the State or click on Education and Training on their Home
Page to get a listing of those opportunities.
http://www.accessarkansas.org/onestop/
Employment
Security Division (ESD). This state agency has several
different services. It has as its mission to provide its customers
with employment related services that enhance the economic stability of
Arkansas and its citizens. These services are provided to employers,
the workforce and the general public. They have offices all over
Arkansas. Go to their Home Page and click on training and it will
lead you to a variety of training options and opportunities.
Arkansas
Department of Higher Education. Under this state agencies
is all of the two and four year colleges and universities in the State.
Each one should have someone that can provide you special assistance if
you want to have some formal educational approach to your career development.
Go to their Home Page and click on Arkansas State Colleges and Universities
(four year public, two year public, and independent colleges and universities),
and then click on the institution of your choice.
Arkansas
Department of Workforce Education. This state agency
has as its mission to provide the leadership and contribute resources to
serve the diverse and changing workforce training needs of the youth and
adults of Arkansas. It provides information and related services
to GED, Adult Education, Technical Institutes, Career Opportunities, Post-secondary
Technical Education, Secondary Career and Technical.
You can go to their Home Page and access the remaining services and in
particular if you want more information on technical institutes and vocational
technical schools in your area click on Technical Institutes under Program
Information and then click on the institution of your choice.
Also, if you are a veteran there is a selection you can click on State
Approving Agency for Veterans Affairs.
http://www.work-ed.state.ar.us/
Disabled and Non-Disabled Veterans. Military.com is a great web site that provides veterans with many options including many under the Careers Center, Great Civilian Jobs, Join the Military, Education and Scholarships.
(Note: military families with special needs can obtain information and support on line 24 hours a day around the world. It includes a bulletin board for communication and support, information on pending legislation, information on professionals, and information on employment opportunities, medical services, educational services, community support, advocacy, etc. http://mfrc.calib.com/snn)